Small Stock Project | Queen Creek 4 H

SMALL STOCK

Ages 8-18

Raising Creatures, Small but Mighty

Queen Creek 4-H Small Stock is designed for children, ages 8-18. Whether the proud owner, or an enthusiastic lover of poultry, rabbits, pygmy goats, or cavys (commonly known as a guinea pig), Members will learn all about how to show and care for their pint-sized pals.

Weekly Practice takes Members on a journey of discovery, exploring the anatomy, breeds, coloring, and care of each kind of animal. Working together with their fellow members and itty-bitty buddies, they will learn about the basics of showmanship, such as holding, squaring, and proper presentation. Additionally, various Shows and Fairs are held throughout the year, providing Members and their stock a chance to show off all they've learned together—learning from their mistakes, and taking pride in their accomplishments!

Project Meetings

On Saturdays, starting at 8:00 a.m., members and their large animals gather together to bond, and grow their stock-based Smarts.

Through instruction, hands-on-experience, and group discussion, members will discover how to care for their animal, and prepare their project for the best possible fair experience.

Meetings are held at Chandler Heights and Sossaman. For more information, or to receive advice on where to get your animals, please contact: pygmygoatlover@yahoo.com.

Images: (Top Left: Holding cuddly cavies. Middle Left: Member practices showing rabbits. Bottom Left: Friendly pgymy says hello. Right: Member and chicken pose for the camera.)

It's Showtime!
(4-H Shows, & Fairs):

Participation in various 4-H Shows and local Fairs is great way for members to test out everything they and their stock animals have been learning together, as well as celebrate their hard work.

At Shows, Members will present pygmy goats, chickens, cavies, and rabbits to judges, answering general questions about each event's respective creature. When they aren't standing tall in the Show Ring, or receiving positive critiques and feedback, Members have a chance to face off in fun quiz bowls, or to get to know their fellow Small-Stock lovers.

If children would like, they can also participate in various Fairs. There, they will have the chance to show their animals, and—if they so choose—buy/sell their stock at an auction.

Both events have prizes up for grabs, but we strive to make sure all competitions remain a positive, encouraging environment, meant to help Members learn, show, and grow.

Images: (Top-to-bottom: First: Members prepare to present their chickens at a Fair; Second: Friends show off their prize belt buckles; Third: Curious cavy checks out his ribbon; Fourth: Close-up of belt buckles).

Small Stock Committee:

Maricopa County's, Small Stock Committee puts on educational and showmanship clinics throughout the year, to help youth prepare for fairs and shows. Every March, the committee hosts a state-wide Showmanship Competition to enable youth to prepare for county fair in April.

The Small Stock Committee has a board consisting of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secreatary with an adult and youth Member from each club. Our meetings are typically held on the third Thursday of each month.

Images: (Left: Member shares some eggy-education with curious bystanders).

Small Stock, Big Impact (Community Service):

No Small-Stock experience would be complete without doing some Community Service. During the year, members can participate in various community-oriented activities. They will team up with each other, and their fellow projects, to:

Hand out flyers and collect canned food during 4H's annual "Trick or Treat so Others Can Eat" Food Drive
Decorate a float for the QC Holiday Parade, before walking their animals down the route
Help out in the 4-H Zone at the Queen Creek Founder's Day Event
Attend fun Community Club Meetings

Images: (Top Left: Hello Bunny; Bottom Left: Member shares off her chicken at Founder's Day. Right: Owners prepare pygmy goat for petting.

Thank you for your interest in our Project! As always, it is our goal, "To Make the Best, Better." We look forward to helping your child take ownership of their pet, as well as develop good sportsmanship and showmanship skills while caring for their itty-bitty buddies.

For more information, please contact: pygmygoatlover@yahoo.com